The Dallas Cowboys continue to lose starters due to injury. Defensive stars DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons will both be unavailable for Week 5. Lawrence has been placed on IR due to a Lisfranc injury to his right foot and Parsons has a high ankle sprain.
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Parsons will more than likely return to the fold in Week 6, but he is already being counted out of Week 5. Now, the Cowboys will be down one of their offensive stars, as Brandin Cooks is officially out due to developing an infection.
According to Cowboys reporter Todd Archer, “The Cowboys will be without WR Brandin Cooks for at least this week vs. Pittsburgh and potentially longer after an infection developed in his right knee following a procedure he had after remaining in NY following the win against the Giants, according to multiple sources.”
Cooks apparently developed an infection in his right knee after receiving a procedure in New York following the team’s win against the Giants. Archer also indicates that Cooks might also be out for far longer.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 8: Brandin Cooks #3 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with Jalen Tolbert #1 after scoring a touchdown during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on September 8, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cowboys star Brandin Cooks is out after developing an infection.
Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images
This is a huge blow to the offense, and the Cowboys will need to pivot to ensure they have enough playmakers when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5.
Cooks was one of the most important receivers for the offense in 2023, as he secured 657 yards and eight touchdowns. However, 2024 has seen him drop a bit in production.
Week 1, Cooks picked up 40 yards and one touchdown. However, every game after that he has only been able to secure 16 yards in each contest.
Cooks is still a proven veteran, and his lower production might have been caused by whatever knee ailment he has been dealing with. Sadly, the procedure he received to correct whatever the ailment has now turned into an infection.
The hope now is that the infection Cooks is dealing with does not become even more severe.
The Cowboys are now down Cooks, Parsons, and Lawrence for Week 5. Dallas has struggled in their first four games, and losing three quality starters is sure to make things far more difficult.
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New Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has been under a microscope since the New Orleans Saints dropped 44 points on Dallas. However, the defense played far better on Thursday Night Football, holding the Giants to just 15 points.
Zimmer will now be without both Lawrence and Parsons for Week 5, and the offense will be missing Cooks. The Steelers are a formidable team, so it will be interesting to see how the Cowboys perform with three starters out.
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